Child Preventive Health Checks Increased to 9 Visits, Starting July 1
Parents will have more opportunities to monitor their children's development. Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, through the Health Promotion Administration, will launch the “7+2 Child Preventive Health Service” on July 1, increasing the number of subsidized health checkups for children under age seven from seven to nine, while also refining checkup schedules and health education content.The adjustment targets key developmental stages. The original single checkup between 4 and 10 months will be split into two visits at 4–6 months and 6–12 months. For children aged 3–7, the single visit will be divided into two stages: 3–5 years and 5–7 years, allowing more detailed monitoring.Checkup items continue to include growth measurements such as height, weight, and head circumference, as well as hearing, vision, oral health, and developmental assessments. Physicians will also provide one-on-one guidance to parents. The program will further integrate examinations and education into a package model, offering tailored advice based on each child's condition.The initiative incorporates multidisciplinary collaboration, including pediatrics, ophthalmology, pediatric dentistry, and speech and hearing specialists, with a stronger focus on vision, hearing, and oral health. Educational guidance will also expand to cover nutrition, complementary feeding, and injury prevention.With this upgrade, potential health issues can be identified earlier, helping parents make informed care decisions. Parents are also encouraged to record daily observations in the child health handbook before consultations.
